My Take-Aways from BlogWorld Expo 2009

19 Oct 2009

It was a whirlwind few days at #BWE09, and while, yes, Virginia, it was held in Las Vegas, there was a lot more “there there” than gambling and boozing it up. It’s amazing to think that the whole “Internet thing” (add your own air quotes) has become not only so big that it needs to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, but that there is kind of graduate school for those of us in social media. And I consider myself lucky to be able to do it for a living – and to keep learning at events like this.

A couple of thoughts about the conference:

What struck me the most was, for the most part, the humility of some of the real A-listers out there. While here, I had the pleasure of meeting people like Guy Kawasaki, Brian Solis, Tac Anderson, David Armano, Shannon Paul and so many others that I’ll stop here. Everyone whom I met was happy to say a hello, chat if they could, and share a story or a laugh time permitting.

At work, often, speaking about social media still emits that look that your dog gives you when you are naked, so there is tremendous camaraderie amongst the attendees. It’s like one big group hug from people who get each other. And for the most part, we all share the same stories and frustration at work. And for the first time in my life, I did not worry when someone was on typing on their iPhone when I was talking – maybe I was actually getting tweeted (and was).

Being here is like learning a foreign language. The more you know, the more you don’t know. There were not many “well, duh” moments and I found myself soaking up the thinking of some really smart people. It’s nice to get an intellectual shot to the head every once in a while. No one can predict the future with certainty, but it was fascinating to hear people talk about where they think our profession is going.

Finally, the thing that I think struck me the most – and perhaps should have been the most obvious – was that many of the wonderful people whom I met were quiet and reserved. A couple of them, I think, were much more comfortable organizing their thoughts via a blog — expressing them that way — than having an extended conversation. Some folks are just more comfortable behind a computer than behind a podium.

So I feel like one lucky dude – I learned, I laughed and I got the opportunity to cement those friendship with all of the friends that I had not met yet.

See you next year. I’m comin’ if I have to walk from DC.

Mark

P.S. – A quick shout out to Jason Falls. He made it possible for me to come and enjoy all of the above. Thanks, Jason. Thank, ya, thank ya verr much.